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Matt Shoukry couldn’t tell you the make, model, or type of VCR he sold on eBay not too long ago, but he will never forget the stranger he sold it to.

According to ABC6, Shoukry is an eBay regular, meaning most “transactions are a blur” to him.

He explained to ABC6 that he began selling things on eBay when he was diagnosed with cancer. The 31-year-old turned to eBay after being unable to fulfill his duties at his regular job as a result of treatment:

“While sick, I was stuck on the couch a lot and I started selling on eBay to help make ends meet as it was something I could do from home without too much bodily stress.”

However, because his account has become such a success, Shoukry continues to sell on eBay as a profession even though he’s now better.

He continued:

“Most eBay transactions are a blur for me as most commerce is nowadays. They pay. They get their item. Everybody’s happy and goes on their way,”

But that wasn’t a case for one customer who purchased a VCR from Shoukry’s account.

At first, Shoukry didn’t think much of the VCR he was selling. To him, it was just another business transaction.

It was when he got a letter in the mail with a handwritten address on the envelope that that VCR transaction became less of a blur and more like a very detailed picture.

Inside the envelope was a letter dated February 10, 2019. It was from the person who purchased the VCR from him. The letter immediately caught his attention, and he began reading it aloud to his girlfriend.

I found many old VHS tapes recently and wanted to see what is on them and realized I had no player. So I went to EBay for the first time and discovered your offer.

I bought your VHS and you shipped it within a few days. The VHS looks new and unused. Amazing. I had some issues getting it going which were mine and not the player. I am 86 and perhaps not up to my game but I do get there eventually. And I did, and discovered the VHS works perfectly.

I watched tapes of my retirement party from 25 years ago which I had never seen before. Jeez, were we young. Then a tape of my wedding with all the family and friends, many of which are no longer around. Then skiing trips, kids growing up, travels, and most importantly the gentle maturing of my family. Each one more fun than the last. All thanks to your generous selling of the VHS player.

I thought you would appreciate how much someone has enjoyed your offer.

Shoukry posted the letter to Reddit, where it would eventually go viral.

He told ABC6 both he and his girlfriend were on the “brink of tears” while reading the letter, which he plans to respond to.

Shoukry said he plans on offering to “digitize” the man’s VHS tapes.

“That way, his family memories will be safe and not at risk of deteriorating away on those tapes, and the rest of his family for generations can enjoy the memories, too,” he added.

It’s unclear if the elderly gentleman knows his letter has gone viral.

There is nothing so meaningful as a handwritten letter. Although we live in an age of texting, and paper and pen can be hard to come by, as well as a stamp, the feeling and emotion that are behind the stroke of the pen are filled unparalleled by any other means.

I love this story and hope that it inspires others to pick up a pen and send a letter to someone.

Plus, the gentleman who wrote the letter is in his late 80s. God Bless the man! Hopefully you too Matthew live that long to still enjoy writing, typing, and signing your own name, for Pete’s sake. Plus, he enjoyed getting that machine to work properly! Again, God Bless! Enjoy, Sir! So happy you were able to enjoy those videos of your very special moments!

Lovely story. Thanks for sharing with us! Loved reading the gentleman getting his new VCR to work so he could enjoy his videos. God Bless him! I hope to also live a long life and continue to use my brain and to share happy moments from days gone by with family. That is what life should be about! Finding ways to enjoy life, and reaching out to those who matter is a wonderful way to enrich one’s own life and those of loved ones as well! Not to sound too corny, but perhaps that’s one answer to living a long life. Keep on living your happy life and enjoy those videos Sir! Bless you one more time!